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𖹭 Chapter 2 𖹭
When the Duke heard my words, he rested his hand on his chin and fell into thought.
His gaze felt like he was carefully dissecting each word I had said, whether I was serious or not.
Then he spoke.
“So you are confident you will win.”
At that, a small smile appeared on my face. It was a habit I always had when someone asked about my piano skills.
“I am confident.”
Thinking about the piano made passion spread inside my chest like ripples of water.
‘I’m really glad I’m good at piano… and that I truly love it.’
It wasn’t like I had always loved music from the beginning. It started completely by chance.
In my past life, during my childhood, I used to sneak into a music room at night—and there I met a woman.
The first time I saw her, I was completely frozen by the heavenly music flowing from her hands.
I didn’t even notice the faint white silhouette shimmering around her body.
Then she noticed me and turned around, giving me a strange smile.
That was how my piano lessons with the “angel” began.
The angel always pointed out exactly what I needed, and because of her, my skills improved faster than any teacher could manage.
At some point, I realized she was a ghost—but by then, it no longer mattered.
“I want to become a pianist who can truly contribute to the Duke family.”
Just as I finished speaking my goal, the butler knocked and entered the reception room.
“…Your Highness has arrived at the estate. He is injured…”
The Duke listened to the butler’s whisper, then looked at me before shifting his gaze to the table.
On it were untouched refreshments neatly arranged, clearly forgotten during our conversation.
“Eat.”
He gestured casually toward the tea and snacks.
I carefully picked up a teacup and took a sip.
While the cup blocked my vision, the Duke stood up.
“I will take my leave first.”
I quickly set the cup down and looked up at him, then shifted my gaze back to the table.
A recording magical device was placed there.
And right beside it…
A key.
A key labeled: Main Estate Music Room.
“If you need practice, come.”
He said it like it was nothing important.
When I looked up in surprise again, he was already turning to leave.
His voice came softly from behind.
“…I pray your dream comes true.”
“……”
Again, words I did not expect.
I was momentarily speechless. An awkward silence filled the room.
Somehow, his words stayed in my mind.
I had never really experienced an adult who sincerely supported me before.
In my past life—
When the orphanage director ignored my bullying…
When my foster parents treated me with indifference…
When teachers turned a blind eye to school bullying…
I had never received warm encouragement or comfort from adults.
Maybe that’s why his short words echoed strangely in my heart.
Without thinking, I replied quietly.
“…Thank you.”
The Duke paused slightly, then left.
I stared at his back for a long time.
Then, I absentmindedly picked up a macaron from the table.
It was sweet—but for some reason, it tasted a little bitter.
A quiet forest in the Trache Mountains.
A blonde boy looked down coldly at a man wearing a black mask.
Birds chirped as the wind passed through the trees.
His golden hair shimmered under the midday sun.
The boy—now fourteen years old—was Helision Voitia.
The First Prince of the Hesiodos Empire.
Helision pulled off the man’s mask roughly.
When he saw the man’s face, a faint, cruel smile appeared.
His sharp green eyes, like a summer forest, flickered with something unusual.
Then his sword flashed.
“Ahhh!”
A short scream echoed through the forest.
Helision casually wiped the blood off his blade and sheathed it.
He knew the sword might rust if left like this, but he didn’t care enough to clean it properly. Attacks like this were too common.
‘My stepmother really is quite kind.’
Sending such “gifts” again.
He had told her many times that he hated these pests.
Ever since his mother, the former Empress, died when he was young, Helision’s life had been filled with assassination attempts.
Even today, he had left the palace only with his aide, without informing anyone, just to get some fresh air.
His aide approached after dealing with another attacker.
“Your Highness! Are you injured?”
“I’m fin—”
Helision tried to step forward, but his body staggered.
“Ugh.”
“Your Highness!”
Blood suddenly burst from his waist.
A wound from the attack.
Helision grabbed his forehead.
‘…Where am I?’
Cold sweat ran down his temple.
Then a sharp ringing filled his ears, like his head was splitting.
He had lost a portion of his recent memory.
A side effect that occurred whenever he used his mana.
This was exactly why Empress Melpomene kept sending assassins after him.
To force him to use his mana.
To make him lose control.
To make him behave strangely.
Even knowing he would not die easily, her scheme worked perfectly.
Soon, rumors spread:
“The Crown Prince is cursed.”
The imperial palace was a place where weakness was devoured instantly.
Helision had done everything to hide his condition, but he could not hide the strange behavior.
Rumors spread like wildfire.
His reputation in the imperial court and noble society began to fall.
Even though he was the only heir of the Empress and possessed extraordinary abilities, no one dared approach him.
Helision only laughed at it.
Fine. Mock me as much as you want.
If this is what you want me to be, I will show it to you.
The pain gradually faded.
A shimmering pond came into view.
He stared at it quietly.
‘Do I even need to try living seriously?’
There was no reason to.
Everything he tried was blocked by his curse.
People already despised him.
Even if he achieved something as Crown Prince, no one would acknowledge it.
Helision felt a deep sense of frustration.
No matter how hard he tried, things never went as he wished.
He smiled bitterly.
‘Who would even know…’
That the “mad Crown Prince” had thoughts like this.
He staggered forward.
He had lost too much blood. If he stayed here, he would lose consciousness.
He needed treatment at a nearby noble house.
‘The closest place is…’
There was one suitable place.
A house that could provide medical care—and was not hostile toward him.
‘If I get treated now, I’ll recover before the piano concours.’
Music was Helision’s only hobby.
Whenever he had time, he attended concerts.
Especially when the Trache Duke family hosted the concours at the Imperial Palace, he always showed up.
Not just to maintain relations with a powerful noble house that could even become independent if it wished.
He knew music calmed his inner instability.
It was the only reason he could keep living without proper treatment.
Music brought him peace.
More than anything—
“Remember. This song will give you strength.”
It was the piece he had heard with his mother.
Even though he could no longer remember what it was.
After she died and he was kidnapped as a child, much of his memory had disappeared—but he still wanted to find that song again.
That single desire kept him going.
‘Will I ever hear it again?’
Holding onto that faint hope, Helision kept walking forward.
